Scientists counting down to MethaneSAT satellite launch
NIWA scientists leading New Zealand’s MethaneSAT agricultural emissions science programme are gearing up for the launch of its satellite.
A new weather and environmental forecasting service launched at the Mystery Creek Fieldays provides farmers with tailored information about weather conditions on their farm.
The web-based weather forecasting information service called NIWA forecast aims to help farmers and growers identify the right time to carry out weather-dependent operations like irrigation, spraying and harvesting.
NIWA chief scientist, atmosphere, Dr Murray Poulter says this new service takes forecasting to another level because different forecasts can now be created for properties as little as 12km apart. Information and forecasts incorporate data from the NIWA weather station that best represents climatic conditions on a property.
"NIWA forecast can deliver valuable climate analysis and forecasts from the present to 15 days ahead direct to farmers' and growers' computers via the internet direct to their farm."
Dr Poulter says the service is backed by modelling and the capabilities of one of the most powerful supercomputers of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The forecast can be set to give information about rainfall, temperature, wind, soil temperature and frost.
Subscribers will receive a direct, 24/7 feed to their computer. Alerts can be set up that trigger email or text 'warning' messages to nominated recipients whenever the specified alert conditions are forecast – instantly identifying windows of opportunity or periods of risk.
To try out NIWA forecast at Fieldays, visit NIWA in the pavilion, at site PF15.
For more information about NIWA forecast go to www.niwa.co.nz/our-services/forecasting-for-farmers
NIWA is the official weather forecaster for Fieldays and for all major Mystery Creek events taking place during the next three years.
A weather station has been set up at Mystery Creek, which will feed live observations of temperature, wind speed and direction and rainfall to display screens across the venue and to NIWA's Fieldays exhibition site.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…